Dynamics of ILT spread and role of dust in epidemiology, diagnostics and control

This project aims to understand the epidemiology and control of Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) in chickens. ILTV is shed in faeces and is detectable at high levels in poultry dust that is strongly implicated in its spread via the respiratory route. The project will determine whether faecally shed ILTV is infective and its likely epidemiological significance. Longitudinal monitoring of vaccinated broiler, breeder and layer flocks will determine if differences in dust levels may usefully indicate differences in ILTV shedding in response to stressors or differences in replication rate and transmission potential between vaccines or wildtype genotypes. Work with unvaccinated flocks will assess the potential of dust tests as a measure of cleanout success and a means of population level surveillance for ILTV.